News about Faculty & Staff

Students Aid Flu-Shot Clinic at College Health Services

Under the watch of Barbie D. Harbaugh, instructor of nursing, Bryce J. Merrill administers a flu shot to Kaitlyn E. Miller, a student in applied health studies, radiography concentration.

Kaitlyn L. Andersen, of Mastic, N.Y., enrolled in the Fundamentals of Nursing course, swabs the arm of classmate Emily L. Tashner-Thompson, of Muncy.

Jessica M. Dreese, a student in Adult Health Nursing I, immunizes nursing student Ciara N. Bond.

Nursing student Michael G. Covone, like his classmates, uses both technical and communication skills while providing a flu vaccine to graphic design student Alexandria C. Wood.

Students in one of four Adult Health Nursing I labs take their turn administering flu shots in College Health Services. From left are Covone, a student from Bellefonte; Harbaugh; and students Merrill, of Williamsport; Danita M. Robinson, of Watsontown; Ryan E. Reid, of Linden; Dreese, of Selinsgrove; Crystal S. Pearson, of Muncy; and Jessica L. Yoder, of Watsontown.

Students in nursing and physician assistant majors put their skills to use this week in College Health Services, where they administered flu shots to the college community. The students were overseen by instructors as they provided the vaccines. College Health Services (Bush Campus Center, Room 150) continues to offer the flu vaccine from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays to Penn College employees, students and their dependents age 9 and over, and spouses at a cost of $15.

WDCE Location Marks Decade of Delivery – and Counting

Kathryn Ecker (left), an organizational-development professional, discusses leadership solutions to support business strategies.

Gerald A. Welshans, consultant/instructor with the National Sustainable Structures Center, shares energy insights with guests.

In the mechatronics engineering technology lab, visitors “talk shop” with Thomas W. Fry (right), industrial technology specialist.

"Plastics" is the word in this discussion facilitated by Plastics Innovation & Resource Center staff Brennan B. Wodrig (left) and Christopher J. Gagliano (center).

The lobby of the Center for Business & Workforce Development bustles with business banter.

Penn College celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Center for Business & Workforce Development during a Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce PM Exchange on Thursday evening. Chamber members toured the 1127 W. Fourth St. facility for a closer look at the varied technologies, programs and expertise – from plastics to energy, computers to health care – available through Workforce Development & Continuing Education to help business and industry assess their training needs and close the skills gap.

‘Faire,’ Fowl Intersect at Renaissance-Themed Fete

Be that a dragon on ye shoulder? Kiana C. Lougie brought along a yet-to-be-named friend she found at the popular Sterling Renaissance Festival in upstate New York. Lougie is a building construction technology student from Pittsford, N.Y.

“Come sit you down and have a good laugh!” proved to be an invitation too good to decline, as the campus community enjoyed Dining Services’ sumptuous Renaissance Feast this week in and around “The Grand Hall” that is the Capitol Eatery. From 4-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, the crowd partook of the costumed spectacle – jugglers and jousting, displays and demonstrations – and savored a menu that included carved turkey, beer-braised short ribs, roasted root vegetables, corn on the cob, mashed or roasted potatoes, and desserts.

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Penn College President Proclaims Week of Welcoming

From left, students Jan J. Bruegmann, of Germany; Laurent P. Mahr, of Austria; Yousef I. Asiri, Abdullah A. Albish and Mohammed A. Alhussain, all of Saudi Arabia; Rene Ramirez, of Venezuela; and Po-Ju Sung, of Taiwan, gather to celebrate the kickoff of Welcoming Week at Penn College, sharing what they love about the campus and the community.

Pennsylvania College of Technology kicked off its celebration of Welcoming Week (Sept. 15-24) with an official proclamation from President Davie Jane Gilmour.

“Penn College’s success depends on ensuring that all students feel welcome,” the proclamation reads.

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Penn College Athletics Is On the Move

Pennsylvania College of Technology recently marked the beginning of its full membership status with the NCAA by unveiling a Wildcat-inspired bus – Susquehanna Trailways-owned and Penn College-branded – and a new way to support athletics: the Wildcat Club. “The bus is to continue to spread the word about Penn College, so everywhere this bus goes, whether it has our athletes in it or somebody else, they have the opportunity to know about (the college) and the new Wildcat in town,” President Davie Jane Gilmour said. The college is grateful to alumnus Cam Kephart, ’97, vice president for Susquehanna Trailways, for his assistance in coordinating this mutually beneficial agreement. “It’s going to be a huge recruiting advantage for us,” added John D. Vandevere, director of athletics. “Because everybody that we’re driving past – high schools, small towns, other colleges and universities that we play – are going to see that, “Wow, they really upped their game!” (Photo gallery)

Penn College Welcomes New Employees

PCToday continues its regular feature – welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

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Campus Food Pantry Begins Second Year of Operation

An array of tabletop nonperishables represents what a student can receive weekly from the campus pantry.

Cheryl Y. Hammond, Dining Services' special events manager, serves Community Peer Educator Tasia A. Werkmeister ...

... as students gain food for thought about The Cupboard.

An anniversary dinner in a pleasant locale

A pair of Dining Services events this week marked the first anniversary of The Cupboard, which assists Penn College students and their families who are struggling with food insecurities. The food pantry – on the first floor of the Bush Campus Center – supported about 380 people last year, and opened its doors to visitors Tuesday in observance of Hunger Action Month.  A spaghetti dinner that evening, held on the CC patio, also raised awareness and attracted donations. There are a number of ways to help The Cupboard: Fresh produce from backyard gardens is welcome, as are contributions of nonperishable food; students can donate through their meal plans at any Dining Services unit, and employees can make monetary gifts through the Annual Giving Office. For more about The Cupboard, call 570-327-4764.
Photos by Tia G. La, student photographer

WDCE Names Executive Director for Business Development

Christopher P. Ray

Christopher P. Ray has been appointed executive director, business development for Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Ray served for the past three years as client development director for WDCE and succeeds Shannon Munro, who recently was named vice president for the department. He will oversee business development, strategic initiatives, new programming, sales and marketing for workforce development at the college.

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NCAA Celebration Heralds New Era for Penn College Athletics

A fan-tastic night to catch Wildcat fever!

The campus community officially entered an exciting new age Wednesday night: celebrating Pennsylvania College of Technology’s full membership in Division III of the NCAA – not to mention the attendant boost to school pride from a dynamic new logo, an exciting mascot makeover and a literal driving force for institutional marketing. A short program outside the Field House marked the occasion, recognizing the members and sponsors of Athletics and the Wildcat Club booster society, followed by a women’s soccer game at the Athletic Field and a women’s volleyball match in Bardo Gymnasium.

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Last updated September 13, 2017 | Posted in Alumni, Events, Faculty & Staff, President, Sports, Students | This gallery contains 43 photos. | Tagged as | Leave a comment

Service Scheduled for College’s First Co-Op Director

William C. Bradshaw

A memorial service will be Oct. 1 for William C. Bradshaw, a retired faculty member and administrator at Williamsport Area Community College and Penn College, who died Wednesday, Sept. 6, in Wellsboro. Bradshaw, who began his WACC career in the late 1960s as an assistant professor of building construction, launched the institution’s entry into “cooperative education” in the Fall 1976 semester – giving a student the opportunity to earn a paycheck while working at an approved job site – as director of experiential learning and career services. “We had definite objectives,” Bradshaw said in the “Working Class” book published as part of the college’s 2014 Centennial. “The employer was not going to let them be there and just hang around and watch. They had to work.” The service will be at 1 p.m. in St. James Episcopal Church, 30 E. Wellsboro St., Mansfield. A full obituary appears in Wednesday’s Williamsport Sun-Gazette.

Taking an Outside Chance, in Tents and Purposes

Flames vanquish the fallish chill, warmly encouraging fireside chats.

About 30 students took part in the inaugural Penn College Outdoor Weekend on Friday and Saturday, enjoying a camping trip amid the Schneebeli Earth Science Center’s 400-plus acres of scenic surroundings. Organized by the Student Activities Office – and enhanced by hospitable weather and the playground that IS the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies’ living laboratory – the overnight experience allowed students to learn Survival 101 tips; practice their open-fire cooking skills with “mountain pies” and s’mores; prepare their own campsites; and much more.

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Last updated September 12, 2017 | Posted in Events, Faculty & Staff, Students, Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies | This gallery contains 11 photos. | Tagged as | 3 Comments

Professor’s Physics Manual Brings Real-World Understanding to Subject

During a 2004 study abroad trip, LeBlanc (in white shirt) joins students at a cultural site in Japan. LeBlanc led six Penn College study abroad courses in Japan, where students visited Tsuyama National College of Technology. Photo courtesy of LeBlanc

From the Fall 2017 Penn College Magazine: Physics faculty member Joseph E. LeBlanc lived in three other nations before making his home at Penn College, where he finds creative ways to make physics meaningful to students. Read “Life’s Work.”

Penn College Welcomes New Employees

PCToday continues its regular feature – welcoming new full-time and regular part-time Pennsylvania College of Technology employees, as reported by the Human Resources Office.

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Blood Donors Answer Two-Day ‘Call to Action’

Blood drive collects 178 pintsThe American Red Cross collected a total of 178 pints of blood during Penn College’s first two-day blood drive of the fall semester, a particularly rewarding result given shortages both regionally and in storm-stricken states. “Your effort shows your generosity, selflessness and dedication to helping others,” noted Carl L. Shaner, College Health Services director. “We collectively answered the ‘call to action’ that the Red Cross initiated due to critical shortages of blood in Texas and the surrounding areas.” Thirty percent of the blood will meet local demands here and a majority will aid in blood shortages where drives can’t be held due to the destruction wrought by Hurricane Harvey. “Of course, the real winners are the patients in need of blood,” Shaner added in an email to the campus community. “Your effort is truly appreciated by the blood recipients, their loved ones and all of us here at Penn College.” Every pint potentially saves three lives, so 534 people ultimately could benefit from the contributions by students, faculty and staff. The next Bloodmobile visit will be Nov. 15-16 in Penn’s Inn, on the second floor of the Bush Campus Center.

Dining Services Celebrates Autumn at Artisanal Marketplace

Woodcarver Liam M. McCay, an applied technology studies major from Bloomsburg, offers a live demo of his time-honored craft.

Movie posters are artfully repurposed as notebook covers.

Also sharing hands-on expertise is alumna Alyssa L. Fink, an assistant baker in Dining Services.

Terraria on display

Dining Services’ Fall Artisan Market, a showcase of items from “funky scarves” and stoneware pottery to tote bags and handmade jewelry, brought a touch of the bazaar to the Bush Campus Center on Wednesday evening. The next market, featuring holiday items, is set for 5-8 p.m. Nov. 1.
Photos by Rachel A. Eirmann, student photographer